Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

In November 2017, before Ulver embarked on their European tour supporting the successful The Assassination of Julius Caesar release , out of the blue they launched the EP Sic Transit Gloria Mundi digitally on their own Bandcamp page – under the radar of most. It followed a bit later on Spotify, iTunes, etc. They have finally got round to releasing the album in physical form for the first time by way of a 12″ vinyl upcoming on House Of Mythology on December 7th, 2018.

The new version of the release contains the three studio songs from the digital release with the addition of four live recordings.

In respect of the three studio songs the band report:“The sad remains from the Caesarean banquet. Two songs we kind of left on the drawing board but resumed work on this summer. Additionally, a cover of a childhood favourite – one we actually started some twelve–thirteen years ago, around the time we first started talking about making some ‘pop’ music. This EP was finalised in our new studio in the old town of Oslo in September, and sent over to Youth’s in London in October, for imperial sound quality. ”

Ulver also uploaded two videos, using footage from their concert at Labirinto della Masone, Italy, in the summer of 2017. Two songs, “Southern Gothic” and “Transverberation” from that concert have now been properly mixed, alongside “Nemoralia” from Odeon Theatre, Tasmania, summer 2017, and finally “Rolling Stone” from Grieghallen, Bergen International Festival from 2018.

The bands particular form of epic prog is in full effect here. Huge cinematic statements with Kristoffer Rygg’s vocals soaring effortlessly over massive reverb drenched soundscapes. The live tracks are especially fine with the band firing on all cylinders to deliver memorable performances, the version of “Rolling Stone” is a stand out statement from a band in fine fettle. The Frankie Goes To Hollywood Cover is a bit of a head scratcher in the context of the bands own material but that slight concern is abated by the quality of the rest of the release.

The band has decided that for the time being these four live tracks will only be available on this vinyl edition. 25 minutes of exclusive bonus material, as a bit of a reward or incentive to those who still buy physical music.

The vinyl is available in three different colours: punk yellow, purple and classic black. The cover shows Francis Bacon’s Study of Velásquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X (1953), Design iis by the immaculate Paschalis Zervas, + wolframgrafik.